Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington has been joined in England's
Commonwealth Games team by an array of title winners.

Beck and call: double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington has been chosen to swim for England in New DelhiPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

By Telegraph staff and agencies

5:18PM BST 24 Aug 2010

World University Games champion Stephanie Proud, former four-time European junior title winner Anne Bochmann and former double world junior gold medallist Daniel Sliwinski join Adlington in the squad for Delhi.

The 45-strong team, announced on Tuesday by Commonwealth Games England, will compete against the likes of world number two swimming nation Australia, the re-emerging Canada team and a strong South African squad as well as renewing rivalries with Scotland and Wales.

Fifteen swimmers, including three paralympic athletes, were added to the team following last week's final qualification event in Sunderland.

They also include the likes of Kate Haywood, a 50 metres breaststroke silver medallist at the recent European Championships, and Antony James, 100m butterfly finalist in Budapest.

Four years ago in Melbourne, England's swimmers returned with 22 medals and England's team leader John Atkinson believes the 2010 team has the quality to get close to that figure.

Atkinson said: "I'm delighted Commonwealth Games England has selected such an impressive contingent of athletes to represent England with 45 swimmers being one of the largest swimming teams in the modern era of the Games.

"It's a full strength England team with tremendous potential. To have so many Olympic and World Championship medallists competing for England will serve the team well as they enter their final preparations for Delhi in October."

Accompanying established athletes such as Adlington, world champions Liam Tancock and Gemma Spofforth and the three-time World Championship medallist Jo Jackson, is a crop of young talent.

For the likes of Ryan Bennett, Bochmann and Emma Saunders, the Commonwealth Games will provide the athletes with their first major international event.

Atkinson said: "We have seen a number of breakthrough performances this season to make the England team and that's exciting for the sport.

"However, it will be tough in Delhi for our swimmers. Australia continues to be a dominant force in world swimming, Canada are riding high after an impressive two years and the likes of New Zealand and South Africa will always challenge for medals.

"For the swimmers, the Commonwealth Games has been the focus of their entire year and I'm excited at our prospects."

England's chef de mission Craig Hunter said: "It is with pride that we welcome such a strong swimming contingent into the England team for the Games in October.

"We wish them every success with their final preparations for Delhi and at the Games themselves."